Nebraska Congressman calls this an extraordinary day

A Nebraska Congressman calls this an extraordinary day; the day of peaceful transition of power: inauguration day.

Congressman Jeff Fortenberry says the presidential inauguration of President Donald Trump has caused him to reflect.

“The last couple of weeks I’ve really been reflecting on a single word, this word is replenishment,” Fortenberry tells LNK Today on Nebraska Radio Network affiliate, KLIN. “In spite of the divisiveness of the election, in spite of the philosophical divisions in the country, our nation has an extraordinary capacity to replenish itself with new ideas, and new people, and fresh perspectives.”

Nearly 70 Democrats in Congress protested the inauguration of Trump by boycotting the event.

Fortenberry says such protests are misplaced.

“I think it’s unfortunate,” Fortenberry says. “We had a fair election. The people spoke. This election outcome is due to the fact that so many Americans feel left behind or even dismissed by the systems that are designed to protect them.”

Fortenberry says the people have spoken and their representatives need to respect that.

“For colleagues of mine, many of whom are friends of mine, to protest or sit out; maybe that’s good politics where they’re from or some statement of principle or conscience on their behalf, but I think it’s unfortunate,” Fortenberry says. “I didn’t agree with President Obama. I supported candidates against him, but I went to his inauguration, out of respect for our system and out of respect for him.”